Northern Senators Forum Commends President Tinubu, NELFUND Leadership for Student Loan Scheme Impact
The Northern Senators Forum of the 10th National Assembly has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for their pivotal role in implementing the national student loan scheme.
In a letter signed by Senator Abdul’aziz Musa Yar’adua, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, the forum acknowledged the impactful strides of the scheme across tertiary institutions, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
The forum noted that the scheme, led by NELFUND’s Chairman, Mr. Jim Ovia, and Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has quickly gained traction, with students from institutions such as Bayero University Kano, University of Maiduguri, and Federal University Dutsin-Ma being prominent beneficiaries in the early stages. Over 16,000 students have already benefited from this initiative, underscoring the scheme’s significance in increasing educational access for youth across Nigeria.
The Northern Senators also emphasized the scheme’s importance as a national project, advocating for balanced participation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Recognizing the unique challenges in the Northern region—where youth restiveness and extremism have posed enduring threats—the forum called on the government to continue expanding educational access, especially for Northern youth, to foster socio-economic stability and employment opportunities.
In their letter, the Northern Senators highlighted the historical impact of the Act establishing NELFUND, pointing to its potential to elevate living standards and reduce poverty across communities.
They commended NELFUND’s management for their commitment to driving positive change and encouraged Northern state governments to actively partner with NELFUND in awareness campaigns across tertiary institutions within their states.
The forum’s appeal for collaboration underscores a shared vision of long-term educational empowerment and community development.
